The JLOS Development Partner Group and members of the JLOS sector carried out a monitoring visit to Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court to discuss issues critical to case backlog management as part of the broader implementation of the Fourth Sector Development Plan (SDPIV). The visit focused on engaging judicial officers and other stakeholders on case backlog management. The first part comprised of a dialogue with judicial officers to discuss issues pertaining to case management and adjudication. The main objective of the monitoring visit which is part of the sector reporting on implementation of the strategic plan was meant to contribute to implementation of the sector case backlog strategy, improve case disposal outcomes, share challenges, best practices and opportunities for improvement.

In the afternoon the team engaged in a multi stakeholder Focused Group Discussion on the same subject. Invited participants included representatives from the front line JLOS institutions Planning unit of Uganda Police Force, Corrections directorate of the UPS, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Inspectorate of Courts, representatives from the Judiciary and Uganda Prisons, Justice Centres, Paralegal Advisory Services, legal aid service providers network, Director Government Analytical Laboratory, Remand Home personnel, Uganda Law Society and other stakeholders.

It is hoped that the outcome of this and other monitoring visits will strengthen JLOS-Development Partner engagement, create an environment for sharing of information, address challenges, opportunities and provide an avenue for peer review, better coordination, collaboration and communication that will strengthen case management and general access to justice services. The ultimate goal is to facilitate effective implementation of the sector case backlog strategy and over sector Development Plan.

The Deputy Senior Technical Advisor of the JLOS Secretariat welcomed members to the visit and emphasized that the monitoring process is part of the reporting process to sector development partners and stakeholders; providing an enabling environment for sharing issues, best practices and crafting interventions to improve the administration to justice thereby creating safe and secure environment within which all Ugandans can thrive.

The Chief Magistrate of Nakawa Court welcomed the team and made a presentation on issues pertaining to the court. He informed the meeting that Nakawa has three Grade One gazette stations of Nakawa, Luzira and Ntinda which is yet to be operationalized. Nakawa presently has 4 Grade 1 Magistrates and Luzira has one.

The Justice, Law and Order Sector conducted a monitoring and evaluation visit to the West Nile districts of Arua, Koboko, Nebbi and Zombo from March 8 – 11, 2015.

The purpose of the monitoring and evaluation visit was to inspect and assess various JLOS funded projects and initiatives. These included Koboko Justice Centre (a collection of JLOS institutions –Police, Prisons, Courts and the office of the PP - operating in close proximity to enhance access to justice); Oraba boarder post; Giligili Remand home; Arua Prison, Nebbi Prison and the Goli boarder post. During the field visit, participants also engaged the local district chain-link committee membership in discussions over issues affecting service delivery in the sector.

The Chairperson of the Civil Justice Working Group and Deputy Director of the Law Development Centre, Ms. Florence Nakachwa, led the JLOS team. Other participants from the Sector were drawn from the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (Juvenile Justice), the Uganda Police, Judiciary, Uganda Prisons, National Community Service (Ministry of Internal Affairs) and the JLOS Secretariat (Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs). Members of the Development Partners Group that participated in the M&E visit included the Austria Development Cooperation (ADC), the Royal Netherlands Embassy, DANIDA and the European Union.

The field visit also drew participation from local justice, law and order actors from the district local governments and political leadership in the West Nile region.

JINJA - The Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Bart Katurebe has urged institutions involved in the administration of justice and the rule of law to devise stronger partnerships as a way of ensuring effective and well-coordinated service delivery. The CJ made these remarks while addressing members of the Jinja District Chain-link committee (DCC) and other JLOS officials that converged at Bugungu prison, Jinja district on June 10, 2015. District chain-link committees comprise of JLOS institutions with a presence at district level established to oversee and coordinate JLOS programs and activities through coordination, communication and cooperation.

Hon. Bart Katurebe was on a one-day tour of Jinja districts organized by the Justice, Law and Order Sector – the first of its kind since his appointment as chief justice in March 2015. The Chief Justice was accompanied by the Hon. Kahinda Otafiire, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs; Hon. Alex Onzima, the minister of state for local government; Hon. Yorokamu Bamwiine, the Principal judge; members of the JLOS development partners group led by the Irish ambassador, H.E Donal Cronin; and other members of the JLOS leadership, steering and technical committee.

During the meeting with DCCs, reports from various JLOS institutions were presented on the current state of operations – from the Police, Prisons service, Uganda Law society, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the Judiciary, Justice Centres Uganda, Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (Juvenile Justice) and the Uganda Human Rights Commission. The Chief Justice appreciated the work each institution is doing in enhancing access to justice to the people of Jinja and commended their efforts even in the midst of challenges such as inadequate staffing, office accommodation and other infrastructure. The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Kahinda Otafiire said that the Justice, Law and Order Sector is in the final stages of designing a project that will ensure every district has a “justice centre” – a one stop facility housing front line JLOS institutions to solve office accommodation and space challenges.

The commissioner general of prisons, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija in his remarks thanked the the JLOS leadership for to visiting Bugungu Prison facility. He specifically thanked the Chief Justice for choosing to visit a prison institution on his first JLOS field visit since his appointment earlier this year. Dr. Byabashaija requested that Uganda Prisons be included in the Justice Centres project because of the key role it plays in the overall criminal justice chain and in view of the accommodation challenges it faces due to large prisoner populations.

Earlier, the Chief Justice was taken on a guided tour of Bugungu group of prisons, accompanied by prison officials for an onsite assessment of prisoner living conditions.

JINJA – The Justice, Law and Order Sector continues to be dedicated to ensuring effective and efficient administration of justice and the rule of law. The Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Bart Katurebe made this declaration while addressing residents of Jinja during a visit to the district organized by the Justice, Law and Order Sector on June 10 2015. Justice Katurebe who is also the chairperson of the JLOS Leadership committee was publicly meeting Jinja residents gathered at Jinja High Court to assess the state of service delivery by JLOS institutions in the district. In what can be described as a baraza moderated by the Solicitor General - Mr. Francis Atoke, members of the public were allowed to ask questions and put forward their concerns, complaints and grievances with sector officials providing responses. Those who were not able to voice their concerns had their issues documented by JLOS officials for further action by the relevant institutions.

In his speech, the Chief Justice said that he and his team from the Judiciary and other JLOS institutions are set to making the sector open and accountable to the people. He said that his office had established toll free numbers the public could use to directly voice any complaints and report cases of abuse of office by Judicial officers. The office of the Chief Justice directly manages the toll free lines.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Kahinda Otafiire told the gathering that government is aware of the various challenges they face on a daily basis and continues to devise solutions based to the available resources. He said that given the long list of priorities and a limited resource envelope, some interventions may delay with the most pressing issues being addressed first such as security of people’s lives and property. He reiterated the Sector’s commitment to construction of more office facilities for JLOS institutions through the Justice Centres initiative.

H.E Donal Cronin, the Irish ambassador to Uganda and the current chair of the JLOS Development Partners Group (DPG) applauded the efforts of JLOS in bringing services closer to the people – especially the vulnerable and marginalized. He also congratulated the Justice Katurebe upon his recent appointment to the position of Chief Justice and said the development partners are looking forward to a more fruitful partnership with the sector. The Chief Justice on his part thanked the JLOS development partners for their continued support to the sector and for “sticking around even when the going got tough” – in reference to massive donor cuts to government last year in the wake of the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

The Chief Registrar Mr. Paul Gadenya and officials from the JLOS Secretariat and Jinja High Court were later hosted on local radio talk show where they continued to engage the public on issues affecting the administration of justice and the rule of law in Jinja district.

The Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan documents how the sector will track the implementation of the Third Sector Investment Plan (SIPIII) in particular and the National Development Plan in general under the pillar of good governance. The purpose of monitoring and evaluation is to create confidence among JLOS stakeholders that sector interventions work and are worth supporting. The monitoring and evaluation will also ensure that where interventions are not working they will benefit from annual corrective action.

The Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) has concluded a joint monitoring and evaluation exercise for central Uganda. His Worship Asaph Ruhinda, the acting Chief Registrar, Courts of Judicature who led the team said the main aim of the JLOS monitoring and evaluation visit was three fold; to assess the conditions in which institutions operate, assess implementation of projects and see innovations that have been put in place to address challenges. The team that also included development partners from Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark and DANIDA visited several JLOS institutions in both Masindi and Hoima districts.

Kabalye Police Training School

Among the places visited included Kabalye Police Training School which is located 8km from Masindi town. The commandant of the facility, ACP Moses Kafeero, said training at the school emphasizes core values and serving the community. He said the school in partnership with Uganda Human Rights Commission, have designed a curriculum where at every stage of training, issues on human rights, gender and children’s issues are dealt with. JLOS is funding a storied 48 classroom block at the facility which will be used as a training centre for non commissioned officers when complete. Mr. Kafeero thanked the JLOS family for making time to assess the school's challenges, innovations and maintenance of existing projects. In his remarks, His Worship Ruhinda urged the school administration to ensure that the project is completed.

Masindi Prison

The team also visited Masindi Prison. Although the prison’s capacity was supposed to be 364, the facility now has 1001 inmates. The prison, which prides itself in being the lead human rights observer in the country, has several initiatives in place. The team was shown around the tailoring section, where 30 prisoners daily work at ensuring that prisoners countrywide have uniforms. There is a furniture showroom, carpentry, and metal fabricating workshops for male prisoners. For the women, there are handicrafts. The prisons management appealed to JLOS to assist in finding a lasting solution for the sewerage disposal system.

Masindi DCC Meeting

The day’s activities were crowned with presentations from the Masindi District Chain Linked Committee. The District Chain Linked Committees (DCCs) are based in each district to oversee and coordinate the justice reform program. The JLOS committees at the district work on the principle of chain link and are primarily focused on promoting cooperation, communication and coordination (3Cs) at the local level covering all the four focus areas of the JLOS. During the meeting, Justice Ralph Ochan, the resident judge Masindi, in his remarks urged development partners not to give up because the strong partnership has brought change in the justice system. He emphasized the need of building capacity especially among LC1s because they are the first foot soldiers in the justice system.

Hoima DCC Meeting

On Tuesday June 18, the team headed to the Hoima Chief Magistrates Court to hear reports from the DCC. His Worship Jameson Karemani, the Chief Magistrate who also doubles as the chairman of the DCC said they have decentralized the places of holding meetings - with each institution given an opportunity to host DCC forums on a rotational basis. It was noted during the meeting that the absence of a mortuary and police surgeon was making cases that require forensic expertise difficult to prosecute. There was however a marked improvement in criminal justice although there was an existing case backlog in civil justice.

Sam Wairagala, Advisor Monitoring and Evaluation at the Secretariat said JLOS is currently implementing a Results-based Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system. He commended the institutions for trying to ensure their mandates are made and added that as a Sector, they are trying to build capacity to ensure better service delivery. He noted that although the journey remains long, there are commendable strides in reaching the desired goal.

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Sheila Wamboga | Published: June 20 2013

WESTERN UGANDA -- Uganda’s Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) key mandate is delivering services closer to the people by improving physical infrastructure, reform of laws, reform of laws and simplification of procedures. The Sector which has been in operation for 13 years is focused on increasing public confidence and trust in the justice system as well as user satisfaction in the services. The goal is to enhance people’s access to JLOS services and drive the country towards deeper observance of human rights while promoting institutional and individual accountability.

The JLOS leadership on 4th - 6th of March, 2013, conducted a monitoring and evaluation exercise in western Uganda for its institutions to assess the conditions under which institutions operate and assess the success and challenges of building an effective justice system in Uganda. These are some of the highlights of that exercise.

MUBENDE - The Justice, Law and Order Sector team led by the Chief Justice, Hon. Benjamin Odoki on March 4 2013 visited Mubende District Chief Magistrates Court as part of the sector’s monitoring and evaluation exercise to western Uganda.

The team comprised of members of the Leadership and steering Committee as well development partners from the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Denmark and Ireland. Also present were ministers from various JLOS institutions that included Hon. Matia Kasaija (Minister of State for Internal Affairs), Hon. Aston Kajara (Minister of State for Finance) and Hon. Felix Onzima (Minister of State for Lands).

JLOS is currently implementing a Results-based Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system and the results framework as articulated in the M&E plan to provide the basis for monitoring. The sector M&E system draws on a number of information sources. These include existing data gathered and included in the Sector and Institutional data bases under JLOS SIP II, (ii) specially designed qualitative and quantitative user surveys, (iii) extended data gathering related to specific JLOS SIP III Outputs (iv) existing national surveys carried out by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) in collaboration with other government and non government institutions/ sectors that gather data directly relevant to this M&E system. These take the form of user and public perception of service delivery; integrity surveys, and household surveys etc. Where possible JLOS seeks the collaboration of UBOS, Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), the Office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) and other relevant bodies to add to the existing survey data instruments and data collection procedures in order to meet the Sector M&E needs. This approach is aimed at creating synergy between various related data gathering and survey efforts.

The collection and management of the data/information is enhanced through the implementation of a customized JLOS management information system (MIS). JLOS SIP II initiated the development of the MIS. JLOS SIP III will further develop the system to allow for systematic and joint sector wide monitoring and evaluation of activities. The MIS will enhance overall management of the Plan by creating provisions for capturing the Sector and Institutional annual work plans, procurement plans, financial management, and monitoring the implementation of the planned activities. Having improved access to information on sector wide implementation progress will enable the Sector Leadership/Policy committee to detect implementation challenges on time and put in place the appropriate adjustments. MIS in JLOS SIP III will be used as a decision support tool for managing the planning, budgeting, resource allocation, procurement, financial management and implementation processes and progress. The M&E system will generate periodic reports that are linked to the key outcomes/results in the Results Framework. The Sector Secretariat will promote the implementation of the sector-wide M&E through linkage, harmonization and capacity development of institutional MIS, data collection and management systems.

The Impact Evaluation Framework

There are three impact evaluations carried out. One is a baseline at the start of JLOS SIP III, the Mid Term Review and the End Term Evaluation post FY 2015/16. The surveys are independently conducted by recognized institutions to ensure objectivity. In addition, special interim surveys in particular outcomes as found appropriate by the Sector are conducted at specific periods of time to support the independent evaluation of impact.

The JLOS SIP III M&E data is critical in providing a basis for the evaluations and the survey Terms of Reference specifically note that requirement. Where possible the Impact Evaluations supplement available survey data carried out by the JLOS Institutions and the recognized statistical government agencies for instance Uganda Bureau of Statistics. International best practice is employed to ensure reliability and accuracy, including survey design, sample selection, statistical analysis and interpretation to enable attribution of changes in the outcomes to the JLOS SIP III interventions as well as a determination of the differences in benefits to different categories of users and possible explanations to why such differences exist.

Arrangements for Results Monitoring

The M&E plan elaborates the arrangements for monitoring and evaluation of JLOS SIP III. The overall responsibility for M&E is vested with the JLOS Technical Committee with technical support from the JLOS Secretariat. The Secretariat disseminates the M&E plan and ensures that in each outcome, the agreed upon outputs and activities are implemented in appropriate sequence according to the implementation plan. Results- based implementation and management has been adopted with outputs contributing to specific outcomes and outcome indicators, as identified in the results framework clearly articulated as well as the indicators to measure performance. Regular progress in Plan implementation are monitored through the Sector MIS, special reports and regular monitoring.

The JLOS secretariat and specifically the M&E Advisor provides technical support to the M&E function as well as support the work of a permanent Monitoring and Evaluation Committee comprising M&E personnel drawn from all sector institutions. All institutions will need to strengthen their existing M&E units and staff to allow efficient and effective data gathering at all levels, and analysis and reporting on routine and ad hoc bases. The Task Force has the authority to manage routine monitoring of inputs and activities as well as liaising with other Government bodies regarding combined M&E exercises. At an early stage in the implementation of JLOS SIP III, the sector will undertake an assessment of the readiness of all participating institutions to adopt a comprehensive M&E regime, to mitigate any blockages and to align follow on activities with international best practice.

Under SIP III, there will be special emphasis on M&E capacity building, building on the training provided under JLOS SIP II. The timing of the training will be at regular intervals and target participants in the institutions with responsibility for M&E at all levels including those responsible for gathering data at the lowest levels. Regular thematic short sessions on key gender issues in the justice sector will be held for decision makers as well as training on collection, analysis and dissemination of sex disaggregated data for different levels of staff. This is intended to raise the quality of data collection, aggregation and regular transmission to the Institution and Sector M&E database.